Very strange! The only thing you have to do is to find the helm and equip it to see the hidden places and stuff in the Academy - no need of additional activation of the helm. Do you see the special visual effect when you put on the helm ? And to be clear - there is no hidden stuffs in the room where you found it - to be sure the helm work or not check the main hall where you get in into the building - on the left wall from the entrance with helm put on you have to can see the hidden pass to new section of the Academy.
